Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 10051040

The giant otter (Mustelidae - Pteronura brasiliensis) is a social species, living in family groups. In seasonally flooded areas, such as the Pantanal, giant otter groups defend defined territories during the dry season, which are usually about 10 km long, along water courses. Some authors have suggested that giant otters disperse during the rainy season, leaving their territories, which are recovered in the following dry season. However, studies have been conducted mainly during the dry season, and their home range and habitat use during the rainy season remain unclear. The aim of this project is to verify the home range and habitat use of giant otter groups during the flooding season in the southern Pantanal, and to incorporate this information in conservation plans to protect theses habitats. This project is been carried out on the Miranda (19º34'S, 57º1'W) and Vermelho (19 36'S, 56 44'W) rivers, in the southern Pantanal of Brazil, since June of 2009 until June of 2011. Five adult individuals from different social groups will be monitored, for approximately 10 days per month, using boat or aerial tracking, when the individuals move into the flooded areas.